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Paperback editions of books by Amazon Publishing UK author Mel Sherratt are being stocked locally in Waterstones and an independent bookstore.
Sherratt is published by Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing’s crime and thriller imprint.
As reported by The Bookseller yesterday (20th August), WHSmith Travel stores have started stocking titles by Sherratt and fellow Thomas & Mercer authors Mark Edwards and Helen Smith.
Sherratt’s books are also being stocked at her local independent shop, Webberley’s Bookshop in Stoke-on-Trent, and her local Waterstones shop in Hanley.
Sherratt, who self-published before being signed to Thomas & Mercer, told The Bookseller that when she signed with Amazon Publishing she “accepted that my books might never hit the shops, so I didn't expect to see them anywhere”.
“However, being published traditionally meant that this year I have appeared at several literary festivals, one of which was Stoke-on-Trent Hot Air in my home town,” she said. “From this, I then found out that my local bookshop Webberley's and Waterstones Hanley had my books in stock and that they may be stocked by Waterstones regionally too. It's great to see them out there, especially now that I have another book deal with two further books set in my city, due to come out next year.”
Earlier this year a number of retailers told The Bookseller that they would not stock titles from Amazon Publishing, with independent bookseller Ron Johns saying "We absolutely hate Amazon and what it has done to the high street and the book trade." However Waterstones’ managing director James Daunt told The Bookseller at the time that the company would “judge books [from Amazon Publishing] on their individual merits", as it did with other publishers.
In relation to Sherratt, Waterstones’ publisher liaison manager Eva von Reuss said: “Our policy remains unchanged. Buying decisions are based on each individual book’s merit. All titles available in the UK are available for our customers to order.”
Webberley's declined to comment on its decision.